Well, it’s not the same season it was seven weeks ago, is it?
On Nov. 26, the 76ers were in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 9-8 record. They also were a day removed from a 144-103 loss to the Orlando Magic at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The 41-point drubbing was their worst home loss since a 135-87 drubbing at the hands of the Boston Celtics on Feb. 15, 2022. At the time, Joel Embiid missed eight consecutive games with right knee soreness. Kelly Oubre Jr. also was sidelined with a sprained left knee ligament. And Paul George had only played in three games because of left knee injury management and a sprained ankle.
Whatever their chances were of contending for a conference championship, they’re drastically improved.
In the team’s first meeting since the November rout, the Sixers defeated the Magic, 103-91, on Friday at the Kia Center. The fifth-place squad has a 21-15 record and is a half-game game behind the fourth-place Toronto Raptors entering the teams’ two-game series on Sunday and Monday at Scotiabank Arena.
Embiid is listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Raptors (23-16) with left knee injury management. Not having been cleared previously to play on back-to-back nights, Embiid is expected to miss one of the matchups in Toronto. However, his current six-game streak is the longest since playing six straight from Jan. 15-25, 2024.
Meanwhile, Oubre returned on Wednesday after missing 22 games. And now healthy and back to playing at a high level, George has shown signs of why the Sixers gave him a four-year, $211.5 million contract last summer to form a Big Three with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
But …
Rookie shooting guard VJ Edgecombe has been playing so well that we might want to reconsider adding him to the group and renaming it the Big Four.
Not only are the Sixers the healthiest they’ve been in some time, but they all know and have accepted their roles, which has enabled them to thrive. And from a team culture standpoint, the Sixers have come a long way from the squad that had a well-publicized team meeting after a 106-89 road loss to the Miami Heat on Nov. 18, 2024.
Joel Embiid has played in six consecutive games. It is his longest streak since playing in six straight from Jan. 15-25, 2024.
In that meeting, Maxey called out Embiid for being late for team functions. Players also told coach Nick Nurse and his staff that they wanted to be coached harder. In turn, the coaches said they wanted the players to practice with purpose and attention to detail.
So far this season, things have seemed like a love fest. Players have built bonds playing video games and blossomed into each other’s biggest supporters.
On the court, Maxey, who entered Saturday as the league’s third-leading scorer at 30.7 points per game, has supplanted Embiid as the No. 1 option.
But Embiid is moving better, and George is excelling in his role. The Sixers have benefited from those things.
After starting 0-4 in games the Big Three played in this season, the Sixers have gone 5-1 with them.
“I think Tyrese is kind of always going to be like explosive and scoring, pretty much, his speed and energy,” Nurse said. “But when we get to Joel in a few situations, you know he’s either going to get a bucket or a foul for a stretch. That gives our team a lot of confidence. And you shift over and give PG the ball a couple of times, then he gets a couple of buckets. And [the opposing players] are not quite sure where you are going to hit them from. … You still have to worry about some of the other guys out there, too.”
Nurse could be referring to Edgecombe, sixth man Quentin Grimes, and Oubre, once he regains his rhythm.
Embiid (23.5 points per game) is the team’s second-leading scorer, followed by Edgecombe (16.1), George (16.0), Oubre (14.5), and Grimes (14.5).
But now that they’re healthy, the Sixers have a chance, on paper, to be the deepest squad of Nurse’s three-year tenure.
Dominick Barlow, Jared McCain, Andre Drummond, Adem Bona, Jabari Walker, Trendon Watford, Justin Edwards, and Eric Gordon also have made solid on-court contributions.
Quentin Grimes has provided a huge lift off the Sixers bench.
In addition to staying on the Raptors’ heels, Friday’s victory gave the Sixers the 2-1 head-to-head tiebreaker over the Magic. That could be valuable if the Sixers and Orlando finish the season with the same record.
“It’s still early in the season,” Embiid said. “It’s kind of hard to start thinking about tie breaks and all that, but it’s good. Obviously, we’re right there with them. Our aim is to keep winning and keep climbing up the standings, and they happen to do the same thing, and if that’s needed. I guess that’s a good thing.”
But it’s even better for them that the season is not the same as it was seven weeks ago.
ORLANDO — Nick Nurse called a timeout about two minutes into Friday’s matchup at the Magic, frustrated that his 76ers were “standing up straight and not moving great” defensively.
The coach continued to cycle through personnel groupings, searching for a spark on that end of the floor. He found it at the top of the final period, with guards VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes, wings Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr., and center Andre Drummond.
Their suffocating, versatile defense turned a four-point Sixers lead into a 13-point advantage in an eventual 103-91 victory at Kia Arena. It helped the Sixers (21-15) overcome a night when they shot 4-for-28 from three-point range to secure the tiebreaker against a potential Eastern Conference playoff opponent. And the almost-five-minute surge happened with stars Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid getting their customary rest.
After the game, George said he believes the “scrappy” effort from that fourth-quarter lineup was only a flash of the Sixers’ potential on the defensive end of the floor.
“I think we can be special defensively,” said George, a four-time, all-defense selection during his standout career. “And that’s where the praise needs to be.”
The Sixers exited Friday ranked 12th in the NBA in defensive rating, with 113.3 points allowed per 100 possessions. Yet in their last five games, which have coincided with a return to a fully healthy roster for the first time since December of 2023, they are sixth (109.1 points per 100 possessions).
Nurse’s teams have regularly been lauded for an aggressive defensive style, anchored by playmakers who can deflect passes and generate takeaways. Yet this season’s Sixers also exited Friday ranked 12th in opponent turnovers (15.2 per game) and steals (8.7 per game).
Though the Sixers did not force a turnover during Friday’s decisive fourth-quarter stretch, Oubre and Grimes disrupted ballhandlers with their perimeter pressure. That allowed George and Drummond to “[patrol] in the back” near the basket. And it was a block party at the rim, with Drummond, George, and Oubre all rejecting one shot during the Magic’s 1-for-12 stint from the floor.
“We were just really keeping the ball in front,” Nurse said. “And when it did get past us, we always were sending a crowd to it.”
It was the second consecutive game that Nurse turned to the lineup that began the fourth quarter, after it blew open Wednesday’s home victory against the Washington Wizards. In 14 minutes across those two victories, that lineup has a stunning defensive rating of 48.1 points allowed per 100 possessions and a net rating of plus-74.9.
Even with that minuscule sample size, that group’s success perhaps represents a more under-the-radar benefit to the Sixers regaining health.
Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe was part of a game-altering defensive effort.
Outsiders may believe roster continuity is most helpful on the offensive end, where timing and chemistry between teammates are critical. But Nurse said last week that it also would allow the Sixers to add defensive schemes to complement the offensive firepower of Maxey, who dropped another 29 points Friday, the returning-to-form Embiid (22 points, nine rebounds) and George (18 points, nine rebounds), and the complementary scoring potential of Edgecombe, Oubre, and Grimes.
When George was sidelined to begin the season, for instance, Nurse said the wing would be especially valuable to this team as a defensive communicator. Oubre, who earlier this week returned from a month-plus-long absence with a knee injury, also welcomes guarding wings and switching onto multiple positions. Edgecombe is already an impact player on that end, a rarity for a rookie, while Maxey is a noticeably improved defender. And if Embiid continues to improve physically, he could become an impact rebounder and rim protector again.
Those options mean the Sixers can contest outside shots and “make it a tight paint” on drives, George said. At other points Friday, the Sixers shifted into a zone defense and used Drummond to “blitz” out on perimeter ballhandlers. The next step as a group, George said, is to become even more comfortable playing “on a string” and rotating sharply with teammates.
Nurse, though, may have discovered a lineup that can provide a defensive spark. And George believes Friday’s five-minute effort is only a glimpse at the Sixers’ capabilities on that end of the floor.
“I know it’s tough to do — especially more now than ever in this league,” he said. “But I think the versatility that we have, we should be able to do it.”
The center rotation between Joel Embiid remains in flux.
And Kelly Oubre Jr. must regain his shooting rhythm. But in the meantime, his effort has been a huge asset.
Those things stood out in the 76ers’ 103-91 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night at the Kia Center.
George continues to shine
The Sixers (21-15) need someone to take over when Tyrese Maxey and Embiid are on the bench at the start of the fourth quarter. Based on Friday, George is determined to fulfill that role.
The nine-time All-Star scored eight of the Sixers’ 11 points to put them up 94-82 before Embid and Maxey checked in with 6 minutes, 48 seconds remaining. George made 4 of 7 shots, grabbed four rebounds, blocked two shots, and assisted on Andre Drummond’s layup during the stretch without the two standouts.
After he went to the bench briefly at the 6:18 mark, Maxey and Embiid continued where he left off. They combined to score seven points before George returned with 3:35 remaining. He added his 10th point of the quarter on a layup with 2:57 left.
“He was really good in the fourth,” Maxey told the media. “Really good! He played defense all game. Then in the fourth, he made shots.”
The 6-foot-9 small forward finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals to go with his two blocks. This is the second consecutive game that George dominated a quarter. He scored 13 of his 23 points in the second quarter of Wednesday’s home victory against the Washington Wizards.
The Sixers need him and rookie VJ Edgecombe to keep dominating quarters, especially when Maxey and Embiid are resting.
George didn’t shoot the ball well, missing all seven of his three-point attempts. But he played with poise and got to his spots for key buckets, especially in the fourth quarter.
Maxey finished with a game-high 29 points and three steals. Embiid added 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Edgecombe had just six points on 3-for-8 shooting. But the shooting guard finished with nine rebounds, a team-high seven assists, and two steals.
The Sixers will be tough to beat if their four best players continue to display this type of balance.
Center rotation
When healthy and available, Embiid will always get the start at center. And that’s understandable, considering he’s the 2023 MVP and a seven-time All-Star. Who backs him up, however, often depends on the matchup.
Adem Bona usually gets the nod when the Sixers are playing an athletic team that likes to play an uptempo style. Meanwhile, Drummond assumes the role whenever they need rebounding against a towering team.
So against Orlando (21-18), Drummond was the first player off the bench, subbing in for Embiid with 5:47 left in the opening quarter. This marked his second consecutive appearance after not playing in the previous two games.
Drummond quickly made an impact, grabbing an offensive rebound and scoring a putback at the 5:12 mark. He played well, finishing with seven points and six rebounds, and was a plus-8 in 16:37. Bona did not play.
Friday marked his second game back after missing 22 games with a sprained left knee ligament. The small forward failed to score while missing all five of his shots. But what Oubre lacked in shooting, he made up for in other areas. The 6-8, 203-pounder finished with six rebounds and one block.
He’s shooting 1-for-9, including missing all four of his three-point attempts, in his return.
But his energy and solid defense have made Oubre an asset off the bench in the last two games. And he should make an even larger impact once he regains his shooting rhythm.
Before the injury, Oubre averaged 16.8 points on 49.7% shooting — including 34.3% from three-point land.
The Sixers expect him to regain his shooting form over time.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Tyrese Maxey had 29 points and three steals, Joel Embiid added 22 points and nine rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Orlando Magic 103-91 on Friday night in a game in which the teams combined to make 8 of 57 3-point shots.
Paul George scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half and added nine rebounds for the 76ers, who won for the fifth time in six games. Philadelphia has won four straight on the road.
Desmond Bane led Orlando with 23 points. Anthony Black added 21 points and Paolo Banchero finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Philadelphia shot 4 for 28 (14.3%) from long range to Orlando’s 4 for 29 (13.8%).
Maxey, the NBA’s third-leading scorer at 30.7 points per game, made only 3 of 12 shots in a 12-point first half and missed all four of his 3-point attempts. He finished 10 for 22 overall and 3 for 8 on threes.
When Maxey hit his second 3-pointer of the game with 1:36 remaining in the third quarter, the 76ers were 3 for 22 from 3-point range and had a seven-point lead. His final 3-pointer came with 3:42 left and gave the 76ers their largest lead, 101-85.
ORLANDO, Fla. — NBA official Bill Kennedy left the court in a wheelchair after suffering an apparent leg injury during the first quarter of the Sixers at Orlando Magic game on Friday night.
Kennedy appeared to start limping as he was running down the court during a 76ers fastbreak with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the first quarter. He was seen hopping on the baseline as Paul George made a layup to cut Orlando’s lead to 22-20. He then called for assistance as the Magic called a timeout.
His right leg was tended to for several minutes before he was wheeled off the court.
Kennedy’s departure left officials James Williams and Michael Smith to work the rest of the game. The 76ers won the game 103-91.
Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors pick the best Philly sports images from the last seven days. This week, we’ve got Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe leading the way for the Sixers, while Trevor Zegras and the Flyers get some revenge on Cutter Gauthier. And, of course, we’ve got the Eagles — both on the field and on the steps of the Art Museum …
Joel Embiid and the Sixers cruised past the Washington Wizards, 131-110, on Wednesday night.
Tyrese Maxey couldn’t lift the Sixers over the Denver Nuggets this week, but he does remain one of the Eastern Conference’s top All-Star candidates after finishing third in the second round of fan voting.
A member of the Sixers dance team waves the team flag before the Sixers game against the Nuggets.VJ Edgecombe tried to dunk over Washington’s Marvin Bagley III, but instead was called for an offensive foul in the first half of the Sixers’ latest win.
Former Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier (not pictured) struck first, but Trevor Zegras answered with two first-period goals of his own Tuesday night. The Flyers went on to beat the Ducks, 5-2.
Peter Chang plays basketball during a mild winter afternoon Monday at Charles T. Mitchell Jr. Park in Philadelphia.Temple guard Jordan Mason drives past East Carolina guard Jordan Riley during the second half. Temple’s 75-67 victory pushed its winning streak to seven games.
Large cutouts of Eagles players like Jordan Mailata and Jalen Hurts decorate the steps at the Art Museum on Wednesday, ahead of Sunday’s wild-card game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra left Sunday’s game after he was injured on this tackle by Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves in the third quarter.
Eagles defensive tackle Byron Young (left) and linebacker Joshua Uche (right) tackle Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. They were two Birds who saw extended playing time with the starters resting.
About 70 minutes before tipoff Wednesday, Kelly Oubre Jr. let out a scream when he popped into the 76ers’ locker room. A few minutes later, Tyrese Maxey announced that “12 [is] back” while settling into his seat next to Trendon Watford.
They were, indeed. Oubre and Watford both returned from lengthy injury absences in the Sixers’ comfortable 131-110 victory over the Washington Wizards at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Their modest stat lines — Oubre totaled two points, three rebounds, and two steals in 20 minutes, 16 seconds; Watford three assists and did not attempt a shot in 4:45 — reflected that they had been sidelined for more than a month.
But their outings were an appropriate first step for the 20-15 Sixers, who had their full roster available for a game for the first time since December 2023.
“It’s been a long journey to get back out there,” Oubre said postgame. “And it felt amazing, just to even be able to just touch the court and be able to do anything out there.”
Coach Nick Nurse’s eyes widened when informed that, according to research by PhillyVoice, it had been more than two calendar years since the Sixers had not ruled out any players before a game because of injury or personal reasons. When the public address announcer shared that the Sixers had “no injuries” a few minutes before tipoff, cheers erupted from the crowd.
There was another big ovation when Oubre initially checked in during the first quarter, wearing a knee brace under a leg sleeve that provides proper support but “just [messes] my swag all the way up,” he quipped.
Kelly Oubre Jr. averaged 16.8 points on 49.7% shooting along with 5.1 rebounds in the season’s first 12 games.
Oubre airballed his first shot, an elbow pull-up off a rebound that he said he rushed because he “was so happy and geeked” to be back on the court. After two more misfires — which the 11-year veteran attributed to fatigued legs — Oubre’s fourth-quarter jumper in the lane bounced in just before he exited for the final time.
But on the defensive end, the Sixers consistently felt Oubre’s full-court pressure. That was where he was most eager to test that knee, he said.
“He just started going out there and picking his guy up,” Nurse said. “And everybody behind him saw how hard he was working, and I think they picked it up, too.
“I think he was a big spark tonight, even though it doesn’t look like his offense is anywhere near his capabilities yet.”
While rehabbing the knee sprain he suffered on Nov. 14, Oubre said he felt “no pain” but added that he needed to regain his stability and strength. When he finished “like my 1,000th sprint,” however, Oubre said he was “so done.”
“I just wanted to get out there and play basketball,” Oubre said, “and test my wind out there on the court.”
Next, Oubre will be tasked with recapturing his career-best play, when he averaged 16.8 points on 49.7% shooting along with 5.1 rebounds in the season’s first 12 games. He was more in control with the ball in his hands on offense and was another defender who could guard bigger wings and switch on to multiple positions.
Oubre also has been a consistent starter when healthy throughout his two-plus Sixers seasons. Dominick Barlow, who had become a terrific fit as a rebounder and cutter in Oubre’s absence, maintained that first-team role Wednesday.
Nurse said before the game that he would prefer to eventually become “a little more fluid” with lineup combinations, depending on opponent matchups. Personnel tweaks also could affect players further down the rotation, such as Jabari Walker and Jared McCain.
Watford, who averaged 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 14 games before suffering an adductor strain in his thigh, put himself in the category of needing to earn one of those spots again.
He believes his three assists in Wednesday’s short stint are evidence of his playmaking as a 6-foot-8 “point” forward. He said he needs to get more comfortable playing off former MVP center Joel Embiid, who is looking far more like himself than earlier in the season.
Yet after Watford also missed training camp and the preseason with a hamstring injury, Nurse said he needs to evaluate the forward for “a long stretch of games.”
“We certainly like his size, his skill, his kind of versatility,” Nurse said. “But I just haven’t seen enough of it yet to really understand where he’s going to help us and fit into this thing.”
That process will continue when the Sixers hit the road for a Friday matchup against the Orlando Magic before two straight games against the Raptors in Toronto. Nurse knows Oubre and Watford regaining their conditioning, rhythm, and “peak performance” will take time. And the coach does not want to disrupt the cohesion that has been building as Embiid and Paul George have become more available, mobile, and productive alongside the dynamic backcourt of Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
But Wednesday was the first step with the Sixers’ full roster.
Finally.
“I feel fine,” Oubre said. “I feel amazing, actually. So I’m just happy to get one under my belt and just continue to grow from there.”
Those things stood out in a 131-110 victory over the Washington Wizards at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Embiid stringing together games
This contest marked the fifth consecutive game that Embiid has played this season. There was one day’s rest between each game. Earlier this season, the 7-foot-2, 280-pound center didn’t play with less than two days of rest between games.
The limited amount of rest hasn’t appeared to impact Embiid’s performance, who has already missed 17 games due to right and left knee injuries and a sprained ankle.
He averaged 28.5 points, 8.5 rebounds. 5.3 assists, and one block in his previous four games. On Wednesday, Embiid tallied 28 points on 10-for-14 shooting along with seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 25 minutes, 24 seconds.
Embiid felt “pretty good” after playing a season-high 40:03 in Monday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets.
“I just got to keep it going,” he said. “I think tonight, I was OK tonight, so that was a good sign. But like I said, I got to keep going.
“We are still building myself back up. And you just have to be smart.”
He scored the game’s first basket on an 11-foot jumper 17 seconds into the contest. Then Embiid delivered a thunderous two-handed dunk to put the Sixers up 7-0, 1:20 later.
And Embiid displayed solid defense while blocking Justin Champagnie’s layup with 5:02 left in the quarter.
He ended the quarter with eight points on 3-for-4 shooting, along with three rebounds and one assist. Embiid was up to 16 points at the half.
“The nicest thing to see is he’s stringing some games here, one after another,” coach Nick Nurse said. “And the same is applying to the daily work, and all that kind of stuff, too. I just think that’s important for him to continue to keep playing.”
Sixers’ Joel Embiid (right) scored 16 of his 28 points in the first half.
The good thing for the Sixers (20-15) is that his availability means he’s feeling better. It also means the 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star is regaining his rhythm. And as Nurse pointed out, you see him continue to sharpen his skills.
“But yeah, it’s great to see him, obviously,” Nurse said. “The guys that we got playing around him now are playing extremely hard for the most part, and he’s obviously, I always say this, it’s our best version if he’s out there and he’s good. Hopefully, we can continue along with that. Hopefully, he’ll keep stringing some games up here.”
The Sixers were cautious with Embiid earlier in the season by giving him two days of rest between games and hard practices.
“I’m going to be honest, he’s moving way better than I’ve seen him when I first got here,” VJ Edgecombe said. “He’s definitely moving way better. He’s just being Joel, man. We are all seeing that. Like I said, he’s a 30-point scorer every night. He can get 30 points on any given night. So he’s super skilled.
“It’s just been good to see him moving better.”
Edgecombe did note that he’s “a little scared” every time Embiid falls on the court. But he said Embiid tells him why he does that.
So the rookie isn’t mad at the 31-year-old for purposely falling. And when he stays upright, Edgecombe is starting to see Embiid move faster than he expected.
“So I’m happy to see him healthy,” Edgecombe said. “Health is a big thing.”
The crew’s intact
This matchup marked the first time since December 2023 that the Sixers had all their key players available.
Oubre returned after missing the previous 22 games with a sprained left knee ligament against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. Watford was available after being sidelined 17 games with a strained left thigh muscle against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 25.
“It’s good to have Kelly back,” Edgecombe said. “It’s good to have TY back. And you know we’ve been having a consistent [lineup] with the starters the past few games, which also helps. But overall, it’s been great, man. I’m just happy to see everyone on the floor.”
Oubre checked into the game at the 4:27 mark of the first quarter to a loud ovation. He immediately made an impact, impeding the Wizards (10-26) from getting an offensive rebound on a missed three-pointer. And in true Oubre fashion, the 6-8 small forward signaled that it was the Sixers’ possession before sprinting down the floor.
He grabbed his first rebound at 1:51 left in the quarter, while playing power forward in a small-ball lineup with Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, Jared McCain, and Adem Bona. Oubre grabbed his second rebound — also defensive — 17 seconds into the second quarter. This time, he dribbled the ball up the court before misfiring on a 28-foot three-pointer. Oubre went to the bench 1:48 into the quarter. He had two rebounds and missed both of his shots during his initial stint.
In his second stint, Oubre was on the floor with Maxey, Embiid, George, and Dominick Barlow for the final 1:56 of the half.
Oubre scored his only basket with 7:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. He finished with two points on 1-for-4 shooting to go with three rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 20:16.
“It was a stretch in the game where I was picking up anybody that was bringing the ball up, which is normally what I do,” Oubre said. “But I just wanted to test that, and make sure everything was good. I felt good. So I think I’m kind of back to myself. I’m a two-way player, of course. But in-game flow. You know how it flows.”
Watford didn’t come into the game until 4:45 remained. He had three assists in closing out the blowout victory.
Nurse hinted before the game that Watford probably would not play, or would play very little. That’s because he didn’t want to disrupt the team’s rhythm. The Sixers have been successful recently with Barlow and reserve Jabari Walker getting the bulk of the minutes at power forward.
Jabari Walker played four minutes for the Sixers on Wednesday.
But the coach is elated to finally have his full complement of key players at his disposal.
“It is great. It is great, it is,” Nurse said. “You know, getting them all there … is the first kind of accomplishment, or first step, I should say. And then, getting them all to a level of conditioning and rhythm and like their peak performance is going to be a ways away yet, but this is the first step in that. That’s when we can see all the things that we can really do eventually.”
With their full complement of players, we can finally get an idea of how competitive the Sixers are this season. Nurse can also figure out which lineups work best.
“It’s up to the coaches, now,” said Andre Drummond, who started his second stint with the Sixers last season. “We have a full roster. I mean, it’s exciting. It’s the first time I’m playing with a full roster since I’ve been here, at least. So I’m looking forward to what we do, and guys stay healthy, and really getting that rhythm now. It’s almost that time of the year [close to when] the All-Star break comes. And, you know, I’m ready for whatever.”
Paul George scored 23 points on Wednesday.
George’s showcase
George had an efficient game. The small forward finished with 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting — including making 4 of 8 three-pointers — along with 5 of 6 foul shots. He also had five assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Most of his damage occurred in the second quarter, when he scored 13 points on 4-for-5 shooting, making 3 of 4 three-pointers. He also had a block and a steal while logging 10:12 of the quarter.
Critics will point out that George’s domination came against the Eastern Conference’s next-to-last-place Wizards squad, who were missing five players due to injuries.
But he has been playing well all season. And he usually steps up when his number is called. So his second-quarter dominance is why the Sixers signed him to a four-year, $211.5 million contract last season. It’s also the type of domination that quiets the critics who say that the 35-year-old is washed up.
The selfless player is comfortable deferring to Embiid and Maxey so they can all shine.
“Obviously, Joel and Tyrese are our two engines,” George said. “Those guys are going to, rightfully so, demand attention, demand the ball in moments to score and put points up for us. I got to fit in, find my shots, my opportunities, and moments to be aggressive. That’s what I’m trying to do.
“But more than anything, defensively, I know I can still be elite. I can still make plays. I can still get us extra possessions, limit the [opposing team’s] best player, or just make things tough with the opposing player. And, then just, you know, try to be a calming voice, keep us level, keep us pretty much even keeled, but still apply pressure when we’re not playing defensively.”
In addition to playing quality defense, he sees his role as helping run the offense and stepping up when needed. And George came through in the second quarter, which is always a good sign for the Sixers.
“That’s Paul George, man,” Edgecombe said. “He’s elite. He’s an elite scorer, an elite defender. That’s something he’s always been known for. The things he does don’t show up on a stat sheet.
“But we all know that he can score the rock any given time.”
Joel Embiid scored 28 points, Paul George added 23 and all of Philadelphia’s starters scored in double-figures as the 76ers beat the Washington Wizards 131-110 on Wednesday night.
Tyrese Maxey contributed 22 points and eight assists for the Sixers, who have won four of five.
Tre Johnson had a team-high 20 points for Washington, which played without several key players on the second night of a back-to-back. CJ McCollum (right quad soreness) and Khris Middleton (right knee injury) were among the Washington players sidelined.
Embiid played in his fifth consecutive game contest since being slowed by early season injuries. The 2023 MVP shot 10-for-14 from the field and 7 of 8 from the line, and added seven rebounds.
Philadelphia took control early behind Embiid’s 16 points in the first quarter. The Sixers were up 92-80 entering the fourth before opening the final period with an 11-0 run, capped by a Quentin Grimes dunk to take a 23-point lead. Grimes finished with 16 points.
Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe attempts a dunk during the first half against the Wizards.
Kelly Oubre Jr. returned to the Philadelphia lineup and scored two points in his first game since Nov. 14. Trendon Watford (strained left thigh muscle) also returned for the Sixers, who had their full complement of players for the first time this season. Watford last played on Nov. 25.
The Sixers bounced back from Monday’s 125-124 overtime home loss to Denver in which the Nuggets had just nine available players and were missing their entire regular starting lineup.
Washington had won five of seven games entering Wednesday after starting the season 3-20. But, they were short-handed against the 76ers, missing Corey Kispert (hamstring) and Keyshawn George (left hip) in addition to Middleton and McCollum. Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly each scored 18 for the Wizards.
Coach Brian Keefe said before the game that there is no timetable for Cam Whitmore’s return. He has been out since last month due to upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
The Sixers travel to the Orlando to face the Magic on Friday (7 p.m., NBCSP).
For the first time all season, the 76ers had all of their main players available heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Kelly Oubre Jr.and Trendon Watford were both cleared to play after being upgraded from questionable and probable earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid, who’s dealing left knee injury management and right ankle soreness, will play after being listed as questionable on Tuesday.
Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford were on hand at the #Sixers’ Wednesday morning shootaround. Jabari Walker talked about the possible of having a full squad for the first time this season Wednesday night vs. the Wizards at Xfinity Mobile Arena. pic.twitter.com/huFE5s0SfC
Oubre has been sidelined since he suffered a sprained left knee ligament against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. Watford has not played since he suffered a strained left thigh muscle against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 25.
“Especially after coming back from the loss that we just had, I think it adds more energy,” Jabari Walker said of the possibility of finally having a full roster. “Now we are playing for something bigger. We are playing for everybody. You know, games like that naturally boost everyone’s energy.
“So I’m excited for tonight. We have literally everything we need. It’s a matter of us coming together and jelling as a group.”
Meanwhile, the Wizards (10-25) will be without the injured Kyshawn George (left hip), CJ McCollum (right quadriceps), Khris Middleton (right knee), and former Villanova standout Cam Whitmore (right shoulder).
Dwindling days
Walker and Dominick Barlow aren’t your traditional two-way players. These contracts are usually reserved for seldom-used players, but Barlow is the Sixers’ starting power forward and Walker serves as his dependable backup.
Their availability is beginning to dwindle, though.
Barlow, who missed 10 games this season with an injury, has 26 games left on his two-way deal. Walker has only 16 left.
But since the Sixers have a standard-contract roster spot available, their remaining available games are lower. The team has only 20 games remaining among Barlow, Walker, and MarJon Beauchamp, their third two-way player. Beauchamp has spent most of his time with the Delaware Blue Coats after signing with the Sixers on Dec. 26.
So, in theory, if Barlow and Walker played in 10 straight games, the Sixers would be without two-way contracts until they signed an extra player. One way to briefly fill the 15th standard roster spot is to sign someone to a 10-day contract.
#Sixers reserve power Jabari Walker talks about he and Dom Barlow being on two-way contracts, how they can impact the team and thoughts on the dwindling days left of his contract. pic.twitter.com/PJLgqT8Tm8
But the Sixers could convert Barlow or Walker’s contract to a standard deal. Then they could convert the remaining two-way power forward after trading or waiving one of their current teammates on a standard deal.
“Every now and then, it will pop up in my mind, but just putting my energy toward what I can control right now,” Walker said of the dwindling days. “And just whatever happens, just knowing that I left an impact on my teammates and left an impact in the game, I think that’s the biggest truth.”
Walker has averaged 4.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 13.0 minutes in 32 games. Meanwhile, Barlow has averaged career highs of 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 24.0 minutes through 24 games, with a career-high 21 starts.
Sixers forward Dominick Barlow averaged career highs of 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 24.0 minutes through 24 games, with a career-high 21 starts.
Right now, the two aren’t letting the two-way contracts define them, given the unique situation.
Walker spent the last three seasons on a standard contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. Barlow’s previous two-way deals with the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks were converted to standard deals.
“We’re both big pieces, and we have similar styles sometimes with our energy,” Walker said. “So we just talk about how we can be effective with the team, how we can both bring more energy.”
